MUSICFEST NW KICK-OFF PARTY KICKS OFF...UH, MUSICFEST NWThe gripping countdown to Musicfest Northwest 2003--three days that will shake Portland music to its core, and possibly divest you of a few religious beliefs you don't need--BEGINS NOW. The WW-sponsored festival, which benefits music programs in Portland's public schools, takes over about 20 Portland nightclubs Sept. 4-6. Yes, we know--a very, very long time to wait while other papers do nothing for you but stage fake-ass beauty contests. But please know that you can help yourself to a foretaste of fun. Next Wednesday, July 23, Music Millennium's Northwest PDX location hosts the festival's annual Wristband Kick-Off Party. Between 6 and 8:15 pm, bands Amelia, Drumattica and The Divorce entertain, free bevvies and snacks refresh, and the magickal wristbands for entry to all festival shows sell at bargain rates. Namely, you get two (2) wristbands for $30. The price goes up to $20 each thereafter, meaning you and a friend can each save a massive 25 percent on your purchases. The info: 801 NW 23rd Ave., 248-0163.

THE DIXIE CHICKS' ALL-STAR SALUTE TO AMERICAIt was clear things were different After The Flap: Rock the Vote had a table outside; Michelle Branch was an opener. Halfway through an amazing set at the Rose Garden Sunday night, DixChick Natalie Maines sat down to introduce "Truth No. 2." She pointed out a guy in the front wearing a shirt emblazoned with "FUNM" (a family-friendly way to say "Fuck You, Natalie Maines," a national response to Maines' shirt with "FUTK," allegedly "Fuck You, Toby Keith"). She also thanked him for the $65 he put in her pocket. Sassy, for sure, but it hardly prepared us for the video that unfurled when she broke out the first line: great moments of dissent that could have been shown at an indymedia.org recruitment kaffeeklatsch (Vietnam protests, MLK, Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, women's suffrage, gay and lesbian and abortion rights, to name a few). Clearly, the DCs have said FUCR (that'd be country radio) and are working on a different legacy. And that guy with the FUNM shirt? By the end of the show, he was clapping along.

TIDBITS A MILLIONAccording to our Special Correspondent, local hardcore heroes Crosstide nailed their "best show yet" at last week's Vans Warped Tour. Good sense of timing, boys...Belated condolences to the family, friends and many fans of Scott Jernigan, drummer for '90s OlyWa legends Karp and, more recently, The Whip. Jernigan, 28, was killed in a boating accident in Washington state on June 10. All who had the good fortune to experience his drum thunder or sense of humor will miss him...Apparently, things are running a little behind at Icon, the new club opening in Satyricon's former Northwest 6th Avenue digs. Though the bar/cafe has a temporary liquor license, renovations on the 19-year-old punk club are still underway. Owners hope to open around the end of the month...Marilyn Manson canceled his July 13 show at the Schnitz. Apparently people in Portland just don't scare easily enough...Lou "I've Been Milking Seven Good Songs for 30 Years" Reed recently told talk-show host Charlie Rose about a visit to "one of those silly cities...I think it was Portland." Reed proceeded to speak fondly of the Heathman's Andy Warhol suite. Hey, Lou--not for nothing, but go fuck yourself. That's how they say it in New York, right?